4-H Projects
With over 30 projects, there's no doubt all youth in Kansas will find something of interest.
| BEEF | Learn all aspects of the beef industry by raising a market steer or building your own herd by raising heifers and cows. | |
| CIVIC ENGAGEMENT | The Citizenship project is designed to help members find out more about themselves, family, friend, community and world. The project will lead to opportunities for meeting people and working with groups. Learn about other countries and cultures. | |
Learn to create and sew your own clothing and accessories while exploring the world of fashion in Sewing and Textile Design. | ||
Shopping in Style will help you understand your wardrobe; plan a clothing budget; select colors and styles that complement your body shape, proportion, and balance; choose different shades of colors; compare fiber, care requirements, cost, brand, and style; and analyze clothing advertisements. | ||
| COMMUNICATIONS | Youth will learn to interpret verbal and nonverbal information, develop effective public speaking skills, enhance written and spoken communication, defend a point, or design a presentation. | |
| DAIRY CATTLE | Got milk or ever wonder about the power of cheese? Spend a little time with the animal that creates all of this goodness. Members learn more about dairy animals and caring for and raising one. Members usually start with a heifer or a yearling heifer. Older members may start with a producing cow. | |
| DAIRY GOATS | Did you know goat milk is used for human consumption? In fact more people in the world drink goat milk than cow milk, although in the U.S. the opposite is true. Dairy goats are a great project for members to learn about agriculture around the world and in your own backyard. Members may start with a doe and then raise kids to create their own dairy goat herd. | |
| DOG | This project is for youth who are interested in learning more about dogs, how to care for a dog and how to train a dog in basic or advanced commands. Any kind of dog may be used in this unique project that is not designed to conform to AKC or other professional standards. Members without dogs may wish to participate in quiz bowls, conferences and other activities that do not require dog ownership. | |
| ELECTRIC & RENEWABLE ENERGY | Learn important general electrical concepts as you experiment with making a light switch, testing voltages and even build motors. Study energy use, magnetism, electronics and transistors. Learn how small engines work and how to keep them working or discover the power of the wind! Learn about where the wind blows and how its power can be used for sailing, lifting, pumping water and creating electricity. | |
| ENTOMOLOGY | Have you chased butterflies or caught a ladybug to get a closer look? Do you think collecting bugs is a great way to spend your time? Then the 4-H Entomology project is right up your alley. Youth will learn about the world of insects in soil, on plants, in homes, on pets and other secret places. | |
| ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE | The Exploring Your Environment series provides opportunities for youth to engage in learning about environmental science through hands-on, experiential learning experiences in the natural sciences and technology. There's No New Water! is a water conservation and water quality curriculum grounded in the concept that water is a finite natural resource whose quantity and quality must be responsibly preserved, protected, used and reused. | |
| EXPLORING 4-H | This project is for first and second year members. It's a great way to "explore" 4-H projects without enrolling in all of them. Members will be exposed to numerous project areas with the guidance of older members and adult helpers. | |
| FAMILY STUDIES | 4-H members will learn about their own growth and development as well as that of others in the Family Studies project. It will help youth learn about children of different ages and appropriate activities that help children grow and develop physically, socially, mentally and emotionally. Youth will learn about building family strengths to nurture children. | |
| FIBER ARTS | Have you ever wondered how your grandmother crocheted that scarf for you or embroidered the pillowcases? Have you looked at the quilt on your mother's bed and wondered how it was made? The Fiber Arts is defined as the practical skills passed down from preceding generations that were developed to provide basic family needs, such as apparel, home furnishings or decorations. | |
| FOODS & NUTRITION | In this project, you will have fun learning how to cook the basics and then advance to gourmet and international meals. You will learn the heritage of many foods as well as consumer buying skills to get the most for your money. In addition, you will learn how to make healthy snacks and modify your recipes to fit a healthy lifestyle. | |
| GEOLOGY | Did you find a rock at the park and don't know what kind it is? What about fossils? If you would like to learn more about rocks, minerals and fossils, then dive into the Geology project! Discover the types of minerals, rocks and fossils that can be found where you live. Learn about geological formations across the state and in other states. | |
| HEALTH & WELLNESS | Health, exercise and recreation are vital parts of our daily lives. You can focus on physical activity, healthy eating, exercise, sports and recreation or first aid in relation to any of the other phases. | |
| INTERIOR DESIGN & ARCHITECTURE | This project gives you the opportunity to examine space, both inside and out. Decorating a room, experimenting with colors and different types and patterns on your walls and creating the feeling of coziness in a family room are all part of this project. Being an interior designer is all about making a house a home, and the Home Environment project will give you this opportunity. | |
| HORSE | If you love horses, then this project is for you! You will have the opportunity to learn about, handle, care for and ride horses. Members may own or lease a horse, but must have complete access to the horse at any time and must provide full care and management 75% of the time, whether owned or leased. "Horseless Horse" members do not own or lease a horse, but participate in judging, quiz bowls, hippology, presentations and may help with horse shows and trail rides. | |
| LEADERSHIP | Are you ready to step up to leadership? This project will bring out the best in you. You will learn about the skills it takes to be a leader such as: understanding yourself, communicating, getting along with others, learning, making decisions, plus managing and working with groups. | |
| MEAT GOATS | The 4-H meat goat project is designed for members who are interested in learning more about raising meat goats. The meat goat project is quickly growing with an increasing demand for meat products. Learn how to select, raise and care for a meat goat. | |
| PERFORMING ARTS | Do you enjoy being in the spotlight? Do you like to be creative while performing on-stage or setting up backstage? Then you should jump into this project! You will learn to express yourself in front of a crowd either on-stage, backstage, as a puppeteer or writing your own script. | |
| PETS | Whether you're a fish, hamster or a cat lover, this project is intended for members to learn more about their household friends. You will focus on the hand or aquarium pets or cats as you learn about the different species and how to keep them healthy. You will have the chance to be creative and design a toy for your pet, create a commercial or even a scavenger hunt. | |
| PHOTOGRAPHY | Capture your friends and important events through photography. Learn about basic and advanced cameras and how to plan, compose, light and exhibit your photos. Advance into wide-angle and telephoto lenses, filters, light meters and computer enhancement. | |
Learn when, where and what to plant; learn the difference between cool and warm-season vegetables; learn plant parts and how they are used; learn how to use basic garden tools; study seed varieties and starting seeds indoors; study preventative pest controls; learn about specialty harvests and selling your produce; study plant pollinations; study food industry careers; and learn about biotechnology. | ||
Experiment with soil testing, grow and harvest crops, plant a wheat variety test plot, and learn about herbicides and fertilizers. | ||
Learn to identify trees, determine differences between trees and shrubs, learn about different trees and tree parts, graft a bud to a living tree, discover health benefits of trees, investigate forest changes and learn about forest health and learn forest conservation techniques. | ||
| POULTRY | This project is designed to help you learn about chickens and other poultry. You will acquire an understanding of scientific poultry management and marketing practices. You will gain business experience and insight into the values and principles of purchasing, marketing, record keeping and exhibiting poultry. | |
| RABBITS | The rabbit project will help you learn how to raise and care for your rabbits. It is suggested that you start with a doe and extend the project each year. | |
| READING ADVENTURES | Do you enjoy a good book? Do you like to read and study other project areas in 4-H? Check into the phases of the 4-H Reading project. | |
| SELF-DETERMINED | The self-determined project is just that - you decide what you do or study. Is there something you have a passion for that is not included in the 4-H project listing? Then, this is your opportunity to create your own project. Research a sport, hobby or career - the sky is the limit! | |
| SHEEP | The sheep project will help you learn more about the sheep industry. You will learn how to care for and feed a market lamb or build your own breeding flock. | |
| SHOOTING SPORTS | Whether you have an air rifle, .22 rifle, shotgun, air pistol, or bow, the shooting sports project teaches you firearm safety, natural resources, and the opportunity to test your skills. If you have an interest in firearms and/or hunting in any form, this project is the best way to learn about them. Check with your local extension office for the availability of certified leaders before enrolling. | |
| AG MECHANICS WELDING | The Ag Mechanics project allows youth to explore areas of Ag mechanics and metallurgy from repairing or re-purposing items to the fabrication of new items. The intent is for this program is to start with foundational areas, some of which youth may already have, and allow them to continue to build on this knowledge, becoming more experienced. In the project, you’ll identify welding equipment, learn about electrodes, learn basic arc welding skills, and demonstrate appropriate welding skills. | |
| BUILDING BLOCK ENGINEERING | The Building Block Engineering project is designed to help youth explore architectural design in a three-dimensional space. The project starts with foundational ideas of architecture, some of which youth may already have, and allows them to continue to build on this knowledge, becoming more and more experienced. Youth demonstrate their architectural skill and knowledge through the creation of “Lego” construction projects. | |
| ASTRONOMY | Study the different kinds and uses of telescopes, build a simple telescope, learn planet order by making a key ring bead system, build spectroscopes, distort light with lenses and prisms, and learn how to set up public viewings. | |
| COMPUTER SCIENCE | Learn the basic components of a computer; identify the similarities and differences in office software applications; learn Internet safety. As you get older, learn to build, maintain, and repair computers. Learn programming languages and network security. | |
| ROBOTICS | Learn about robot arms, legs, wheels, or under-water propulsion; explore sensors, analog and digital systems; build basic circuits; design a robot; and program a robot to do a task. | |
| AEROSPACE/ROCKETRY | Discover how a model rocket works, study equipment and procedures for a safe launch, build and launch your own model rockets. | |
| SMALL ENGINES | Learn how small engines work as well as how to service them safely. You’ll start by learning the parts and cycles of engines and exploring the importance of clean air to an efficiently running engine. Later, you will learn to troubleshoot, repair, and rebuild an engine; understand rules and regulations for small engines; and explore starting a small engine business or career. | |
| UNCREWED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS | Explore the world from above the trees and discover new frontiers with Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). This project provides the opportunity to safely expand your understanding of UAS and the world around them. You can explore the uses and applications of UAS, including how they link to other projects such as geology, robotics, electronics, crop science, and more. | |
| SWINE | Feed out a market hog or start your own breeding herd by enrolling in the swine project. Learn to select and judge quality animals and meat products. | |
| VETERINARY SCIENCE | The 4-H Veterinary Science project provides an excellent way for young people who care for animals and may want to follow a career in veterinary medicine to explore the topic. In this project, members will learn about animal health, behavior, and visit with veterinarians. You do not have to own an animal to be in this project. | |
| VISUAL ARTS | This project combines the likes of drawing, painting and working with clay or leather. You will explore art techniques, study art history and culture and discover artistic challenges. Develop your artistic skills and talents while learning the elements and principles of design. | |
| WILDLIFE | Kansas wildlife is a large part of our state ranging from buffalo to birds to fish to deer and more. In this project you will learn about wildlife behavior, habitat requirements, how wildlife species fit into nature's scheme, how they are managed, and how they relate to humans. | |
| WOODWORKING | This project requires that you enjoy working with wood, using tools and building things. Can you see yourself building a table, a wood toy or a chair? As a beginning woodworker, you can build many items. As your skills grow, you will be able to make most of the objects in your house or even help build a home! |
